Kukla's Korner Hockey

NEW YORK (January 14, 2014) – The Florida Panthers® will host the 2015 NHL Draft™ at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Fla., the Florida Panthers, Sunrise Sports & Entertainment, and the National Hockey League announced today. Next year’s Draft will be held over two days, Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27, 2015. NHL club executives, scouts and coaches will be present on the NHL Draft floor while more than 15,000 fans and 500 print, television and radio media are expected to attend.

The 2015 event will mark the second time the Panthers and Broward County host the NHL Draft, as the Panthers played host to the 2001 NHL Draft, where Ilya Kovalchuk was selected first overall. The arena was also the home of the 2003 NHL® All-Star Game.

“The Draft is where the future of the NHL begins to take shape, and the BB&T Center is an ideal setting in which to enjoy the excitement as we welcome our next generation of stars,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. “Vinnie Viola, Doug Cifu, Michael Yormark, the Panthers' fans and the South Florida community will be outstanding hosts to our Clubs, our media and our incoming class of 2015 draftees.”

“On behalf of the entire Florida Panthers organization we are thrilled and honored to welcome the NHL Draft back to the BB&T Center and Broward County,” said Panthers President & CEO Michael R. Yormark. “The 2015 NHL Draft will be a spectacular event for this community on a number of levels, bringing significant economic impact and notoriety to Broward County while also giving our fans a glimpse of the future stars of the National Hockey League. I’d like to sincerely thank our local hoteliers, local businesses and the CVB for working closely with the NHL to make this incredible event a reality.”

“Greater Fort Lauderdale is honored to welcome the NHL Draft back to Broward County - the proud home of the Florida Panthers!,” said Nicki Grossman, President of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. “The excitement of this event is made even better by the economic impact of the Draft. Nearly $10 million will be added to our economy and the world will get to see what summer is like here.”

Ticket distribution plans and other details pertaining to the 2015 NHL Draft will be announced at a later date.

The 2014 NHL Draft will be hosted by the Philadelphia Flyers and held June 27-28 at the Wells Fargo Center. For historical information and past draft selections, visit http://www.nhl.com/draft